Smoking hampers healing of broken bones

Smoking can hinder a patient's ability to recover from a broken bone, a new study has found.

British researchers collected blood samples from 50 patients who had tibial fractures. The blood was studied to identify differences in the quality and quantity of stem cells and molecules that are involved in bone regeneration after a break.

The results revealed the bone healing cells in non-smokers were of a better quality, more active and quicker at dividing than those of smokers. Molecules that help certain cellular processes were "hampered by the toxic effects of the tobacco smoke," the researchers said.

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It meant non-smokers healed much more quickly than their smoking counterparts.

The researchers have been presenting their findings at conferences in Europe, a press release on Wednesday says.

The next step will be to look at how the adverse effect of smoking can be reversed, they said.

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